GWS players are preparing to embrace the challenge of performing in front of another hostile AFL finals crowd at the MCG, where their fans will be massively outnumbered. In last year's preliminary final against Richmond, 94,258 attended, with the vast majority belonging to the Tigers army. It left people wondering if there had been any fixture in VFL-AFL history where so many more fans were supporting one team. While the crowd for Saturday's semi-final between the Giants and Collingwood isn't expected to draw quite the same numbers, it is again likely to feature a huge imbalance in support levels. GWS co-captain Callan Ward said his team were primed to handle the challenge and had learnt from last year. "You have to use the energy for you, not against you when the crowd is getting really involved and the opposition is up and about," Ward told AAP. "To use it to your advantage is one thing. But really in every game, and especially finals, it's about staying in the game longer, being harder and tougher for longer." Ward has played in all 14 of the Giants games at the MCG, where they have a 2-12 record. They did have a 16-point win over the Magpies there back in round two, and Ward said GWS had played some good football at the famous venue. "I don't think too much about playing on the MCG, because at the end of the day it's a patch of grass," he said. "Fans can make a small difference but it doesn't really affect it, it's about playing footy." Utility Sam Reid stressed GWS had plenty of recent experience of playing in front of aggressive interstate crowds, having won twice in Adelaide and suffered a narrow loss to the Eagles in Perth.' "I don't think we'll let that overawe us, you've just got to thrive off what they are bringing," he said. The Giants solitary 2018 All-Australian representative, Lachie Whitfield relished the prospect of encountering another raucous MCG atmosphere. "It's what we all grew up dreaming to do, play big finals on the MCG in front of screaming crowds," he said. "It puts a smile on my face as I run out and see how may fans have come to watch our game." Australian Associated Press